play it - love it, 01 Jan 2008
The mix of music is perfect.Lulu was great and loved Valantine moon. Gave as christmas presents all round.

Great album - but not much for the long time fan, 11 Nov 2007
I can't argue with the sound of this music. It is all of the highest quality.

Tuxedo Junction always makes me smile, as do most of the other tracks. I would suggest people hunt out the three 'And Friends' albums, as I reckon they could pick those up for not much more than this best of, and have three times as much music, without missing much.

The only issue I have with this album (hence missing the fifth star) is that there is not much incentive to buy this album if you already own the three aforementioned 'And Friends' albums. A better idea would have been to do a retrospective of Jools' solo (or non Squeeze) career, which spans the best part of 25 years, thus giving more 'new' material to more people.

That said, the music is all good, and if you want to smile like a loon, and dance like one too, this album is for you!

Jools Holland Best of Friends CD/DVD, 24 Oct 2007
This is also my first Jools Holland album and I agree with the previous review Wow!! excellent music you'll love it.

what a load of excellent tunes, 18 Oct 2007
This is my first Jools Holland album, i only got it today and so far i have not stopped playing it. Excellent music, tuxedo junction is ace. I'm gonna share this with the neighbourhood so loud, i absolutely love it.
i'm going to buy more when i get paid.

Another week, another northern soul compilation. Ho hum. Thankfully, Northern Soul Connoisseurs is anything but a routine collection. Following on from the superb Motown Connoisseurs, this 18 tracker is once again compiled by eminent northern DJ Richard Searling--and what a selection. As well as a clutch of celebrated classics, including the scene's ultimate anthem, Frank Wilson's "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)", there's a smattering of highly sought after rarities. The previously unreleased Motown cut "He Who Picks A Rose" by Jimmy Ruffin a number one sound on the scene, so its inclusion is an especially timely masterstroke. Other Motor City marvels include The Supremes jaw-droppingly stupendous "Stormy" and the CD debut of Earl Van Dyke's instrumental mod fave "6 X 6". More familiar perhaps, but equally welcome are Terry Callier's "Look At Me Now", Edwin Starr's "Back Street", Tony Clarke's "Landslide" and The Originals stampeding floor stomper "Suspicion". In short, there's not a single dud track and with its deft mix of the rare and the renowned, Northern Soul Connoisseurs is essential for fervent collectors and northern novices alike. --Chris King

play it - love it, 01 Jan 2008
The mix of music is perfect.Lulu was great and loved Valantine moon. Gave as christmas presents all round.

Great album - but not much for the long time fan, 11 Nov 2007
I can't argue with the sound of this music. It is all of the highest quality.

Tuxedo Junction always makes me smile, as do most of the other tracks. I would suggest people hunt out the three 'And Friends' albums, as I reckon they could pick those up for not much more than this best of, and have three times as much music, without missing much.

The only issue I have with this album (hence missing the fifth star) is that there is not much incentive to buy this album if you already own the three aforementioned 'And Friends' albums. A better idea would have been to do a retrospective of Jools' solo (or non Squeeze) career, which spans the best part of 25 years, thus giving more 'new' material to more people.

That said, the music is all good, and if you want to smile like a loon, and dance like one too, this album is for you!

Jools Holland Best of Friends CD/DVD, 24 Oct 2007
This is also my first Jools Holland album and I agree with the previous review Wow!! excellent music you'll love it.

what a load of excellent tunes, 18 Oct 2007
This is my first Jools Holland album, i only got it today and so far i have not stopped playing it. Excellent music, tuxedo junction is ace. I'm gonna share this with the neighbourhood so loud, i absolutely love it.
i'm going to buy more when i get paid.

Bargain priced intro to Northern Soul, 08 Oct 2007
As a new convert to NS I was intrigued as to what I would find on here.
I was pleasantly surprised at the content and there are a few tracks that have already become real favourites.

For me the standout track has to be the hair-raising Al Kent:The way you've been acting. Whilst this is a brilliant track unfortunately it does suffer from being a copy from a record and there is some distortion on the left channel and some of the other tracks are similarly from records and not the original master tape. Still I would rather have them that way than not at all.

All in all a bargain at £3.39 at a large supermarket chain at time of writing.

Choice Northern Soul, 06 Jan 2005
Although not strictly a Tamla Motown compilation, as 7 of the 17 tracks come from labels such as Chess, Mercury and other smaller labels, this collection comprises predominantly the Detroit groove that launched a whole new phenomenon in the North of England, a cult that led to the uncovering of many rare or previously unreleased gems that fitted the demanding criteria of the Northern Soul crowd.
Many of these find their way onto this release, via the guiding hand of Richard Searling, including Motown tracks by Jimmy Ruffin, Frank Wilson (the classic Do I Love You), the Originals, and Diana Ross and the Supremes' version of Stormy, originally by the Classics IV. 
Non-Motown artists featured include the undervalued Dee Dee Warwick (sister of Dionne), Terry Callier, Tony Clarke, Bobby Hebb and Jerry Butler, and the album concludes with the highly-infectious Don Covay hit It's Better To Have (And Don't Need)

Thank you Stuart Maconie, 17 Aug 2003
If,like me,your appetite for Northern Soul has been whetted by listening to Stuart Maconie's Radio 2 show then this album is an excellent first purchase.

A bonus was the discovery that the album includes "Do I Love You [Indeed I Do]" by Frank Wilson - a certain chicken bits fast food outlet has been using it on recent adverts and I've been trying to identify it.

I defy you not to shake your bits on listening to this.

Thank you Stuart Maconie, 17 Aug 2003
If,like me,your appetite for Northern Soul has been whetted by listening to Stuart Maconie's Radio 2 show then this album is an excellent first purchase.

A bonus was the discovery that the album includes "Do I Love You [Indeed I Do]" by Frank Wilson - a certain chicken bits fast food outlet has been using it on recent adverts and I've been trying to identify it.

I defy you not to shake your bits on listening to this.

Classy Northern compilation from Richard Searling, 21 Jun 2001
The name Richard Searling is a mark of quality when it comes to Northern Soul and this compilation doesn't disappoint. The Jimmy Ruffin track "He Who Picks A Rose" is worth the asking price alone. The rest is classy mix of rarer tracks alongside established Northern classics such as Tony Clarke's monster "Landslide". Roll on the next Connoisseurs compilation!

play it - love it, 01 Jan 2008
The mix of music is perfect.Lulu was great and loved Valantine moon. Gave as christmas presents all round.

Great album - but not much for the long time fan, 11 Nov 2007
I can't argue with the sound of this music. It is all of the highest quality.

Tuxedo Junction always makes me smile, as do most of the other tracks. I would suggest people hunt out the three 'And Friends' albums, as I reckon they could pick those up for not much more than this best of, and have three times as much music, without missing much.

The only issue I have with this album (hence missing the fifth star) is that there is not much incentive to buy this album if you already own the three aforementioned 'And Friends' albums. A better idea would have been to do a retrospective of Jools' solo (or non Squeeze) career, which spans the best part of 25 years, thus giving more 'new' material to more people.

That said, the music is all good, and if you want to smile like a loon, and dance like one too, this album is for you!

Jools Holland Best of Friends CD/DVD, 24 Oct 2007
This is also my first Jools Holland album and I agree with the previous review Wow!! excellent music you'll love it.

what a load of excellent tunes, 18 Oct 2007
This is my first Jools Holland album, i only got it today and so far i have not stopped playing it. Excellent music, tuxedo junction is ace. I'm gonna share this with the neighbourhood so loud, i absolutely love it.
i'm going to buy more when i get paid.

Bargain priced intro to Northern Soul, 08 Oct 2007
As a new convert to NS I was intrigued as to what I would find on here.
I was pleasantly surprised at the content and there are a few tracks that have already become real favourites.

For me the standout track has to be the hair-raising Al Kent:The way you've been acting. Whilst this is a brilliant track unfortunately it does suffer from being a copy from a record and there is some distortion on the left channel and some of the other tracks are similarly from records and not the original master tape. Still I would rather have them that way than not at all.

All in all a bargain at £3.39 at a large supermarket chain at time of writing.

Choice Northern Soul, 06 Jan 2005
Although not strictly a Tamla Motown compilation, as 7 of the 17 tracks come from labels such as Chess, Mercury and other smaller labels, this collection comprises predominantly the Detroit groove that launched a whole new phenomenon in the North of England, a cult that led to the uncovering of many rare or previously unreleased gems that fitted the demanding criteria of the Northern Soul crowd.
Many of these find their way onto this release, via the guiding hand of Richard Searling, including Motown tracks by Jimmy Ruffin, Frank Wilson (the classic Do I Love You), the Originals, and Diana Ross and the Supremes' version of Stormy, originally by the Classics IV. 
Non-Motown artists featured include the undervalued Dee Dee Warwick (sister of Dionne), Terry Callier, Tony Clarke, Bobby Hebb and Jerry Butler, and the album concludes with the highly-infectious Don Covay hit It's Better To Have (And Don't Need)

Thank you Stuart Maconie, 17 Aug 2003
If,like me,your appetite for Northern Soul has been whetted by listening to Stuart Maconie's Radio 2 show then this album is an excellent first purchase.

A bonus was the discovery that the album includes "Do I Love You [Indeed I Do]" by Frank Wilson - a certain chicken bits fast food outlet has been using it on recent adverts and I've been trying to identify it.

I defy you not to shake your bits on listening to this.

Thank you Stuart Maconie, 17 Aug 2003
If,like me,your appetite for Northern Soul has been whetted by listening to Stuart Maconie's Radio 2 show then this album is an excellent first purchase.

A bonus was the discovery that the album includes "Do I Love You [Indeed I Do]" by Frank Wilson - a certain chicken bits fast food outlet has been using it on recent adverts and I've been trying to identify it.

I defy you not to shake your bits on listening to this.

Classy Northern compilation from Richard Searling, 21 Jun 2001
The name Richard Searling is a mark of quality when it comes to Northern Soul and this compilation doesn't disappoint. The Jimmy Ruffin track "He Who Picks A Rose" is worth the asking price alone. The rest is classy mix of rarer tracks alongside established Northern classics such as Tony Clarke's monster "Landslide". Roll on the next Connoisseurs compilation!

Excellent both the idea & tracks - so glad there are 3 more, 07 Sep 2007
What an excellent idea to create a northern soul "mecca" around the clubs which gave it birth!. All of these hallowed names now so familiar to those who loved the music and the scene and which are in no small way totally responsible for its success both then and again now.

Born in 1963 I was not considered old enough to go to the all dayers and all nighters of that time. Therefore back then I loved the music but only heard a tiny portion of it and never had the honour of entering the sacred halls themselves; Blackpool Mecca, The Torch, The Twisted Wheel and Wigan Casino. Thanks to Richard Sterling however I have enjoyed the revival and added extensively to my northern soul knowledge and collection. Now with these 4 CD's, this being the first, a further whole cornocopia of GREAT music history is opened up to everyone together with a very concise written history including photographs of old ticket stubs, the DJ's of the day and even the club goers!. The written background of the clubs and the time are clearly well researched and fascinating and most importantly the track inclusion is first rate with a varied mix of hot tracks of the day floor fillers. None of these tracks themselves are fillers however with 25 tracks of class and melody and not one dross track in sight!.

Inexpensive and well worth the investment, this collection will fill a big gap in the history of what it was all about and who were the names of the day for those who were too young to be a part of it then and those who are new to it but still love it now. As an introduction to anyone who really knows nothing but would like to, this set of 4 (will there be any more?) is no better place to start.

play it - love it, 01 Jan 2008
The mix of music is perfect.Lulu was great and loved Valantine moon. Gave as christmas presents all round.

Great album - but not much for the long time fan, 11 Nov 2007
I can't argue with the sound of this music. It is all of the highest quality.

Tuxedo Junction always makes me smile, as do most of the other tracks. I would suggest people hunt out the three 'And Friends' albums, as I reckon they could pick those up for not much more than this best of, and have three times as much music, without missing much.

The only issue I have with this album (hence missing the fifth star) is that there is not much incentive to buy this album if you already own the three aforementioned 'And Friends' albums. A better idea would have been to do a retrospective of Jools' solo (or non Squeeze) career, which spans the best part of 25 years, thus giving more 'new' material to more people.

That said, the music is all good, and if you want to smile like a loon, and dance like one too, this album is for you!

Jools Holland Best of Friends CD/DVD, 24 Oct 2007
This is also my first Jools Holland album and I agree with the previous review Wow!! excellent music you'll love it.

what a load of excellent tunes, 18 Oct 2007
This is my first Jools Holland album, i only got it today and so far i have not stopped playing it. Excellent music, tuxedo junction is ace. I'm gonna share this with the neighbourhood so loud, i absolutely love it.
i'm going to buy more when i get paid.

Bargain priced intro to Northern Soul, 08 Oct 2007
As a new convert to NS I was intrigued as to what I would find on here.
I was pleasantly surprised at the content and there are a few tracks that have already become real favourites.

For me the standout track has to be the hair-raising Al Kent:The way you've been acting. Whilst this is a brilliant track unfortunately it does suffer from being a copy from a record and there is some distortion on the left channel and some of the other tracks are similarly from records and not the original master tape. Still I would rather have them that way than not at all.

All in all a bargain at £3.39 at a large supermarket chain at time of writing.

Choice Northern Soul, 06 Jan 2005
Although not strictly a Tamla Motown compilation, as 7 of the 17 tracks come from labels such as Chess, Mercury and other smaller labels, this collection comprises predominantly the Detroit groove that launched a whole new phenomenon in the North of England, a cult that led to the uncovering of many rare or previously unreleased gems that fitted the demanding criteria of the Northern Soul crowd.
Many of these find their way onto this release, via the guiding hand of Richard Searling, including Motown tracks by Jimmy Ruffin, Frank Wilson (the classic Do I Love You), the Originals, and Diana Ross and the Supremes' version of Stormy, originally by the Classics IV. 
Non-Motown artists featured include the undervalued Dee Dee Warwick (sister of Dionne), Terry Callier, Tony Clarke, Bobby Hebb and Jerry Butler, and the album concludes with the highly-infectious Don Covay hit It's Better To Have (And Don't Need)

Thank you Stuart Maconie, 17 Aug 2003
If,like me,your appetite for Northern Soul has been whetted by listening to Stuart Maconie's Radio 2 show then this album is an excellent first purchase.

A bonus was the discovery that the album includes "Do I Love You [Indeed I Do]" by Frank Wilson - a certain chicken bits fast food outlet has been using it on recent adverts and I've been trying to identify it.

I defy you not to shake your bits on listening to this.

Thank you Stuart Maconie, 17 Aug 2003
If,like me,your appetite for Northern Soul has been whetted by listening to Stuart Maconie's Radio 2 show then this album is an excellent first purchase.

A bonus was the discovery that the album includes "Do I Love You [Indeed I Do]" by Frank Wilson - a certain chicken bits fast food outlet has been using it on recent adverts and I've been trying to identify it.

I defy you not to shake your bits on listening to this.

Classy Northern compilation from Richard Searling, 21 Jun 2001
The name Richard Searling is a mark of quality when it comes to Northern Soul and this compilation doesn't disappoint. The Jimmy Ruffin track "He Who Picks A Rose" is worth the asking price alone. The rest is classy mix of rarer tracks alongside established Northern classics such as Tony Clarke's monster "Landslide". Roll on the next Connoisseurs compilation!

Excellent both the idea & tracks - so glad there are 3 more, 07 Sep 2007
What an excellent idea to create a northern soul "mecca" around the clubs which gave it birth!. All of these hallowed names now so familiar to those who loved the music and the scene and which are in no small way totally responsible for its success both then and again now.

Born in 1963 I was not considered old enough to go to the all dayers and all nighters of that time. Therefore back then I loved the music but only heard a tiny portion of it and never had the honour of entering the sacred halls themselves; Blackpool Mecca, The Torch, The Twisted Wheel and Wigan Casino. Thanks to Richard Sterling however I have enjoyed the revival and added extensively to my northern soul knowledge and collection. Now with these 4 CD's, this being the first, a further whole cornocopia of GREAT music history is opened up to everyone together with a very concise written history including photographs of old ticket stubs, the DJ's of the day and even the club goers!. The written background of the clubs and the time are clearly well researched and fascinating and most importantly the track inclusion is first rate with a varied mix of hot tracks of the day floor fillers. None of these tracks themselves are fillers however with 25 tracks of class and melody and not one dross track in sight!.

Inexpensive and well worth the investment, this collection will fill a big gap in the history of what it was all about and who were the names of the day for those who were too young to be a part of it then and those who are new to it but still love it now. As an introduction to anyone who really knows nothing but would like to, this set of 4 (will there be any more?) is no better place to start.



Have to Have This!!, 30 Nov 2006
I've wanted this CD just off the strength of The Dells' "It's All Up to You", which is the most gorgeous song I've ever heard. Typically, this compilation is unavailable in the States, and I can't buy it off of UK iTunes (where I got to hear a sample of each song), so I'm just going to have to buy it here. As a Yank who loves her Northern Soul, I gotta say that the British are first class when it comes to championing and cherishing good music.

Another Good Compilation, 16 May 2006
A budget priced twenty tracker compiled by Richard Searling as was the first one in the series which had all the classics and was a good place to start for any new northern soul fan.

This time Richard has covered the more soulful modern sounding side of Northern Soul with a mix of old classics and newer tracks up to 1976.

There's lots of quality tracks on show here too many to go through and the sound quality is also good

At the price 5 stars

play it - love it, 01 Jan 2008
The mix of music is perfect.Lulu was great and loved Valantine moon. Gave as christmas presents all round.

Great album - but not much for the long time fan, 11 Nov 2007
I can't argue with the sound of this music. It is all of the highest quality.

Tuxedo Junction always makes me smile, as do most of the other tracks. I would suggest people hunt out the three 'And Friends' albums, as I reckon they could pick those up for not much more than this best of, and have three times as much music, without missing much.

The only issue I have with this album (hence missing the fifth star) is that there is not much incentive to buy this album if you already own the three aforementioned 'And Friends' albums. A better idea would have been to do a retrospective of Jools' solo (or non Squeeze) career, which spans the best part of 25 years, thus giving more 'new' material to more people.

That said, the music is all good, and if you want to smile like a loon, and dance like one too, this album is for you!

Jools Holland Best of Friends CD/DVD, 24 Oct 2007
This is also my first Jools Holland album and I agree with the previous review Wow!! excellent music you'll love it.

what a load of excellent tunes, 18 Oct 2007
This is my first Jools Holland album, i only got it today and so far i have not stopped playing it. Excellent music, tuxedo junction is ace. I'm gonna share this with the neighbourhood so loud, i absolutely love it.
i'm going to buy more when i get paid.

Bargain priced intro to Northern Soul, 08 Oct 2007
As a new convert to NS I was intrigued as to what I would find on here.
I was pleasantly surprised at the content and there are a few tracks that have already become real favourites.

For me the standout track has to be the hair-raising Al Kent:The way you've been acting. Whilst this is a brilliant track unfortunately it does suffer from being a copy from a record and there is some distortion on the left channel and some of the other tracks are similarly from records and not the original master tape. Still I would rather have them that way than not at all.

All in all a bargain at £3.39 at a large supermarket chain at time of writing.

Choice Northern Soul, 06 Jan 2005
Although not strictly a Tamla Motown compilation, as 7 of the 17 tracks come from labels such as Chess, Mercury and other smaller labels, this collection comprises predominantly the Detroit groove that launched a whole new phenomenon in the North of England, a cult that led to the uncovering of many rare or previously unreleased gems that fitted the demanding criteria of the Northern Soul crowd.
Many of these find their way onto this release, via the guiding hand of Richard Searling, including Motown tracks by Jimmy Ruffin, Frank Wilson (the classic Do I Love You), the Originals, and Diana Ross and the Supremes' version of Stormy, originally by the Classics IV. 
Non-Motown artists featured include the undervalued Dee Dee Warwick (sister of Dionne), Terry Callier, Tony Clarke, Bobby Hebb and Jerry Butler, and the album concludes with the highly-infectious Don Covay hit It's Better To Have (And Don't Need)

Thank you Stuart Maconie, 17 Aug 2003
If,like me,your appetite for Northern Soul has been whetted by listening to Stuart Maconie's Radio 2 show then this album is an excellent first purchase.

A bonus was the discovery that the album includes "Do I Love You [Indeed I Do]" by Frank Wilson - a certain chicken bits fast food outlet has been using it on recent adverts and I've been trying to identify it.

I defy you not to shake your bits on listening to this.

Thank you Stuart Maconie, 17 Aug 2003
If,like me,your appetite for Northern Soul has been whetted by listening to Stuart Maconie's Radio 2 show then this album is an excellent first purchase.

A bonus was the discovery that the album includes "Do I Love You [Indeed I Do]" by Frank Wilson - a certain chicken bits fast food outlet has been using it on recent adverts and I've been trying to identify it.

I defy you not to shake your bits on listening to this.

Classy Northern compilation from Richard Searling, 21 Jun 2001
The name Richard Searling is a mark of quality when it comes to Northern Soul and this compilation doesn't disappoint. The Jimmy Ruffin track "He Who Picks A Rose" is worth the asking price alone. The rest is classy mix of rarer tracks alongside established Northern classics such as Tony Clarke's monster "Landslide". Roll on the next Connoisseurs compilation!

Excellent both the idea & tracks - so glad there are 3 more, 07 Sep 2007
What an excellent idea to create a northern soul "mecca" around the clubs which gave it birth!. All of these hallowed names now so familiar to those who loved the music and the scene and which are in no small way totally responsible for its success both then and again now.

Born in 1963 I was not considered old enough to go to the all dayers and all nighters of that time. Therefore back then I loved the music but only heard a tiny portion of it and never had the honour of entering the sacred halls themselves; Blackpool Mecca, The Torch, The Twisted Wheel and Wigan Casino. Thanks to Richard Sterling however I have enjoyed the revival and added extensively to my northern soul knowledge and collection. Now with these 4 CD's, this being the first, a further whole cornocopia of GREAT music history is opened up to everyone together with a very concise written history including photographs of old ticket stubs, the DJ's of the day and even the club goers!. The written background of the clubs and the time are clearly well researched and fascinating and most importantly the track inclusion is first rate with a varied mix of hot tracks of the day floor fillers. None of these tracks themselves are fillers however with 25 tracks of class and melody and not one dross track in sight!.

Inexpensive and well worth the investment, this collection will fill a big gap in the history of what it was all about and who were the names of the day for those who were too young to be a part of it then and those who are new to it but still love it now. As an introduction to anyone who really knows nothing but would like to, this set of 4 (will there be any more?) is no better place to start.



Have to Have This!!, 30 Nov 2006
I've wanted this CD just off the strength of The Dells' "It's All Up to You", which is the most gorgeous song I've ever heard. Typically, this compilation is unavailable in the States, and I can't buy it off of UK iTunes (where I got to hear a sample of each song), so I'm just going to have to buy it here. As a Yank who loves her Northern Soul, I gotta say that the British are first class when it comes to championing and cherishing good music.

Another Good Compilation, 16 May 2006
A budget priced twenty tracker compiled by Richard Searling as was the first one in the series which had all the classics and was a good place to start for any new northern soul fan.

This time Richard has covered the more soulful modern sounding side of Northern Soul with a mix of old classics and newer tracks up to 1976.

There's lots of quality tracks on show here too many to go through and the sound quality is also good

At the price 5 stars


Some of the Greatest Northern Anthems...........ever!, 08 Mar 2008
I bought this CD the year it came out and sill love it. I have copies in the car, on the pc's at home and at work and on my ipod! If you can, buy a copy of the original offering, its got a massive 60 tracks! Once the postman has been you'll have all you need to stage a great all nighter for all your soul mates......... so turn up the volume, get the talc on the floor and let your feet go free!

and remember, whatever else you might do in life, please.....'Keep the Faith'!!

Instant Bliss, 01 Mar 2008
I am trying to rebuild the soul collection I used to have as a fan and DJ back in the 60's - and this 2-CD set goes a heckuva long way to fulfilling my needs.
From the power-driven opener, Seven Days Too Long,through Just a Little Misunderstanding, Helpless,Homer Banks'magnificent A Lot of Love, to Tainted Love and Shirley Ellis' simple and adorable Soul Time - what a treasure trove of good old soul music.
I'm not a 'Northern Soul' fan, so don't really see any soul in Love on a Mountain Top, but let's not quibble...I'm transported to my Soul Paradise.

Virgin NICKS 14 tracks, 04 Jan 2007
Yep, this is a great re-release in 2006 of a great 2001 double cd, but would have been even better if Virgin would have kept all 30 tracks on each cd not editted to 23 a cd. Hope this helps.
Baldy.

The Best Compilation album I ever bought... Ever, 05 Oct 2006
I got this about 4 years ago, at the time I knew almost nothing about Northern Soul. I am so glad that I chose this album to introduce myself to it.

Every song on here is fantastic (with the possible exception of Dr Love which has lyrics so cheesy, it's embarrasing). Not only that but you get 60 tracks which I think is great value for money.

It's pure Saturday night music, I put this on when I'm getting ready to go out which has the unfortunate effect of making the music I hear later in the evening sub standard (You're not likely to hear many of these tracks unless you're going to a Northern Soul night).

I'm 24 and obviously far too young to have been involved in the Wigan/Torch/TW etc days, whenever I listen to this, it breaks my heart that I wasn't there.

play it - love it, 01 Jan 2008
The mix of music is perfect.Lulu was great and loved Valantine moon. Gave as christmas presents all round.

Great album - but not much for the long time fan, 11 Nov 2007
I can't argue with the sound of this music. It is all of the highest quality.

Tuxedo Junction always makes me smile, as do most of the other tracks. I would suggest people hunt out the three 'And Friends' albums, as I reckon they could pick those up for not much more than this best of, and have three times as much music, without missing much.

The only issue I have with this album (hence missing the fifth star) is that there is not much incentive to buy this album if you already own the three aforementioned 'And Friends' albums. A better idea would have been to do a retrospective of Jools' solo (or non Squeeze) career, which spans the best part of 25 years, thus giving more 'new' material to more people.

That said, the music is all good, and if you want to smile like a loon, and dance like one too, this album is for you!

Jools Holland Best of Friends CD/DVD, 24 Oct 2007
This is also my first Jools Holland album and I agree with the previous review Wow!! excellent music you'll love it.

what a load of excellent tunes, 18 Oct 2007
This is my first Jools Holland album, i only got it today and so far i have not stopped playing it. Excellent music, tuxedo junction is ace. I'm gonna share this with the neighbourhood so loud, i absolutely love it.
i'm going to buy more when i get paid.

Bargain priced intro to Northern Soul, 08 Oct 2007
As a new convert to NS I was intrigued as to what I would find on here.
I was pleasantly surprised at the content and there are a few tracks that have already become real favourites.

For me the standout track has to be the hair-raising Al Kent:The way you've been acting. Whilst this is a brilliant track unfortunately it does suffer from being a copy from a record and there is some distortion on the left channel and some of the other tracks are similarly from records and not the original master tape. Still I would rather have them that way than not at all.

All in all a bargain at £3.39 at a large supermarket chain at time of writing.

Choice Northern Soul, 06 Jan 2005
Although not strictly a Tamla Motown compilation, as 7 of the 17 tracks come from labels such as Chess, Mercury and other smaller labels, this collection comprises predominantly the Detroit groove that launched a whole new phenomenon in the North of England, a cult that led to the uncovering of many rare or previously unreleased gems that fitted the demanding criteria of the Northern Soul crowd.
Many of these find their way onto this release, via the guiding hand of Richard Searling, including Motown tracks by Jimmy Ruffin, Frank Wilson (the classic Do I Love You), the Originals, and Diana Ross and the Supremes' version of Stormy, originally by the Classics IV. 
Non-Motown artists featured include the undervalued Dee Dee Warwick (sister of Dionne), Terry Callier, Tony Clarke, Bobby Hebb and Jerry Butler, and the album concludes with the highly-infectious Don Covay hit It's Better To Have (And Don't Need)

Thank you Stuart Maconie, 17 Aug 2003
If,like me,your appetite for Northern Soul has been whetted by listening to Stuart Maconie's Radio 2 show then this album is an excellent first purchase.

A bonus was the discovery that the album includes "Do I Love You [Indeed I Do]" by Frank Wilson - a certain chicken bits fast food outlet has been using it on recent adverts and I've been trying to identify it.

I defy you not to shake your bits on listening to this.

Thank you Stuart Maconie, 17 Aug 2003
If,like me,your appetite for Northern Soul has been whetted by listening to Stuart Maconie's Radio 2 show then this album is an excellent first purchase.

A bonus was the discovery that the album includes "Do I Love You [Indeed I Do]" by Frank Wilson - a certain chicken bits fast food outlet has been using it on recent adverts and I've been trying to identify it.

I defy you not to shake your bits on listening to this.

Classy Northern compilation from Richard Searling, 21 Jun 2001
The name Richard Searling is a mark of quality when it comes to Northern Soul and this compilation doesn't disappoint. The Jimmy Ruffin track "He Who Picks A Rose" is worth the asking price alone. The rest is classy mix of rarer tracks alongside established Northern classics such as Tony Clarke's monster "Landslide". Roll on the next Connoisseurs compilation!

Excellent both the idea & tracks - so glad there are 3 more, 07 Sep 2007
What an excellent idea to create a northern soul "mecca" around the clubs which gave it birth!. All of these hallowed names now so familiar to those who loved the music and the scene and which are in no small way totally responsible for its success both then and again now.

Born in 1963 I was not considered old enough to go to the all dayers and all nighters of that time. Therefore back then I loved the music but only heard a tiny portion of it and never had the honour of entering the sacred halls themselves; Blackpool Mecca, The Torch, The Twisted Wheel and Wigan Casino. Thanks to Richard Sterling however I have enjoyed the revival and added extensively to my northern soul knowledge and collection. Now with these 4 CD's, this being the first, a further whole cornocopia of GREAT music history is opened up to everyone together with a very concise written history including photographs of old ticket stubs, the DJ's of the day and even the club goers!. The written background of the clubs and the time are clearly well researched and fascinating and most importantly the track inclusion is first rate with a varied mix of hot tracks of the day floor fillers. None of these tracks themselves are fillers however with 25 tracks of class and melody and not one dross track in sight!.

Inexpensive and well worth the investment, this collection will fill a big gap in the history of what it was all about and who were the names of the day for those who were too young to be a part of it then and those who are new to it but still love it now. As an introduction to anyone who really knows nothing but would like to, this set of 4 (will there be any more?) is no better place to start.



Have to Have This!!, 30 Nov 2006
I've wanted this CD just off the strength of The Dells' "It's All Up to You", which is the most gorgeous song I've ever heard. Typically, this compilation is unavailable in the States, and I can't buy it off of UK iTunes (where I got to hear a sample of each song), so I'm just going to have to buy it here. As a Yank who loves her Northern Soul, I gotta say that the British are first class when it comes to championing and cherishing good music.

Another Good Compilation, 16 May 2006
A budget priced twenty tracker compiled by Richard Searling as was the first one in the series which had all the classics and was a good place to start for any new northern soul fan.

This time Richard has covered the more soulful modern sounding side of Northern Soul with a mix of old classics and newer tracks up to 1976.

There's lots of quality tracks on show here too many to go through and the sound quality is also good

At the price 5 stars


Some of the Greatest Northern Anthems...........ever!, 08 Mar 2008
I bought this CD the year it came out and sill love it. I have copies in the car, on the pc's at home and at work and on my ipod! If you can, buy a copy of the original offering, its got a massive 60 tracks! Once the postman has been you'll have all you need to stage a great all nighter for all your soul mates......... so turn up the volume, get the talc on the floor and let your feet go free!

and remember, whatever else you might do in life, please.....'Keep the Faith'!!

Instant Bliss, 01 Mar 2008
I am trying to rebuild the soul collection I used to have as a fan and DJ back in the 60's - and this 2-CD set goes a heckuva long way to fulfilling my needs.
From the power-driven opener, Seven Days Too Long,through Just a Little Misunderstanding, Helpless,Homer Banks'magnificent A Lot of Love, to Tainted Love and Shirley Ellis' simple and adorable Soul Time - what a treasure trove of good old soul music.
I'm not a 'Northern Soul' fan, so don't really see any soul in Love on a Mountain Top, but let's not quibble...I'm transported to my Soul Paradise.

Virgin NICKS 14 tracks, 04 Jan 2007
Yep, this is a great re-release in 2006 of a great 2001 double cd, but would have been even better if Virgin would have kept all 30 tracks on each cd not editted to 23 a cd. Hope this helps.
Baldy.

The Best Compilation album I ever bought... Ever, 05 Oct 2006
I got this about 4 years ago, at the time I knew almost nothing about Northern Soul. I am so glad that I chose this album to introduce myself to it.

Every song on here is fantastic (with the possible exception of Dr Love which has lyrics so cheesy, it's embarrasing). Not only that but you get 60 tracks which I think is great value for money.

It's pure Saturday night music, I put this on when I'm getting ready to go out which has the unfortunate effect of making the music I hear later in the evening sub standard (You're not likely to hear many of these tracks unless you're going to a Northern Soul night).

I'm 24 and obviously far too young to have been involved in the Wigan/Torch/TW etc days, whenever I listen to this, it breaks my heart that I wasn't there.



Bad news - for old legs. , 08 Nov 2008
This is a really bad news compilation; I received it 24 hours ago and my legs haven't stopped moving yet. If this is truly what you got at Blackpool Mecca I doubt if I could have survived - even with a sackful of leapers - but I would have died a happy man.
25 fantastic tracks, unfortunately Van McCoy's stupendous 'Soul Improvisations part 2' seems to be stuck on permanent repeat (don't know how that could have happened) so the others are getting little playing great as they are.

Modern soul at its best., 13 Oct 2008
Blackpool Mecca was at the cutting edge of Northern soul music and with this compilation you will see why.
Instead of filling the gaps with inane, obscure pop music to keep the dance floor filled like other clubs, messrs Levine & Curtis led the way playing fresh modern soul music that others refused to play.
For a taste of the mecca(If you never got to go) This is a good CD and you will get to hear just a fraction what the mecca was playing in its hey day.....Modern soul before the phrase was widely used as it is today, From the No1 club at that time.

play it - love it, 01 Jan 2008
The mix of music is perfect.Lulu was great and loved Valantine moon. Gave as christmas presents all round.

Great album - but not much for the long time fan, 11 Nov 2007
I can't argue with the sound of this music. It is all of the highest quality.

Tuxedo Junction always makes me smile, as do most of the other tracks. I would suggest people hunt out the three 'And Friends' albums, as I reckon they could pick those up for not much more than this best of, and have three times as much music, without missing much.

The only issue I have with this album (hence missing the fifth star) is that there is not much incentive to buy this album if you already own the three aforementioned 'And Friends' albums. A better idea would have been to do a retrospective of Jools' solo (or non Squeeze) career, which spans the best part of 25 years, thus giving more 'new' material to more people.

That said, the music is all good, and if you want to smile like a loon, and dance like one too, this album is for you!

Jools Holland Best of Friends CD/DVD, 24 Oct 2007
This is also my first Jools Holland album and I agree with the previous review Wow!! excellent music you'll love it.

what a load of excellent tunes, 18 Oct 2007
This is my first Jools Holland album, i only got it today and so far i have not stopped playing it. Excellent music, tuxedo junction is ace. I'm gonna share this with the neighbourhood so loud, i absolutely love it.
i'm going to buy more when i get paid.

Bargain priced intro to Northern Soul, 08 Oct 2007
As a new convert to NS I was intrigued as to what I would find on here.
I was pleasantly surprised at the content and there are a few tracks that have already become real favourites.

For me the standout track has to be the hair-raising Al Kent:The way you've been acting. Whilst this is a brilliant track unfortunately it does suffer from being a copy from a record and there is some distortion on the left channel and some of the other tracks are similarly from records and not the original master tape. Still I would rather have them that way than not at all.

All in all a bargain at £3.39 at a large supermarket chain at time of writing.

Choice Northern Soul, 06 Jan 2005
Although not strictly a Tamla Motown compilation, as 7 of the 17 tracks come from labels such as Chess, Mercury and other smaller labels, this collection comprises predominantly the Detroit groove that launched a whole new phenomenon in the North of England, a cult that led to the uncovering of many rare or previously unreleased gems that fitted the demanding criteria of the Northern Soul crowd.
Many of these find their way onto this release, via the guiding hand of Richard Searling, including Motown tracks by Jimmy Ruffin, Frank Wilson (the classic Do I Love You), the Originals, and Diana Ross and the Supremes' version of Stormy, originally by the Classics IV. 
Non-Motown artists featured include the undervalued Dee Dee Warwick (sister of Dionne), Terry Callier, Tony Clarke, Bobby Hebb and Jerry Butler, and the album concludes with the highly-infectious Don Covay hit It's Better To Have (And Don't Need)

Thank you Stuart Maconie, 17 Aug 2003
If,like me,your appetite for Northern Soul has been whetted by listening to Stuart Maconie's Radio 2 show then this album is an excellent first purchase.

A bonus was the discovery that the album includes "Do I Love You [Indeed I Do]" by Frank Wilson - a certain chicken bits fast food outlet has been using it on recent adverts and I've been trying to identify it.

I defy you not to shake your bits on listening to this.

Thank you Stuart Maconie, 17 Aug 2003
If,like me,your appetite for Northern Soul has been whetted by listening to Stuart Maconie's Radio 2 show then this album is an excellent first purchase.

A bonus was the discovery that the album includes "Do I Love You [Indeed I Do]" by Frank Wilson - a certain chicken bits fast food outlet has been using it on recent adverts and I've been trying to identify it.

I defy you not to shake your bits on listening to this.

Classy Northern compilation from Richard Searling, 21 Jun 2001
The name Richard Searling is a mark of quality when it comes to Northern Soul and this compilation doesn't disappoint. The Jimmy Ruffin track "He Who Picks A Rose" is worth the asking price alone. The rest is classy mix of rarer tracks alongside established Northern classics such as Tony Clarke's monster "Landslide". Roll on the next Connoisseurs compilation!

Excellent both the idea & tracks - so glad there are 3 more, 07 Sep 2007
What an excellent idea to create a northern soul "mecca" around the clubs which gave it birth!. All of these hallowed names now so familiar to those who loved the music and the scene and which are in no small way totally responsible for its success both then and again now.

Born in 1963 I was not considered old enough to go to the all dayers and all nighters of that time. Therefore back then I loved the music but only heard a tiny portion of it and never had the honour of entering the sacred halls themselves; Blackpool Mecca, The Torch, The Twisted Wheel and Wigan Casino. Thanks to Richard Sterling however I have enjoyed the revival and added extensively to my northern soul knowledge and collection. Now with these 4 CD's, this being the first, a further whole cornocopia of GREAT music history is opened up to everyone together with a very concise written history including photographs of old ticket stubs, the DJ's of the day and even the club goers!. The written background of the clubs and the time are clearly well researched and fascinating and most importantly the track inclusion is first rate with a varied mix of hot tracks of the day floor fillers. None of these tracks themselves are fillers however with 25 tracks of class and melody and not one dross track in sight!.

Inexpensive and well worth the investment, this collection will fill a big gap in the history of what it was all about and who were the names of the day for those who were too young to be a part of it then and those who are new to it but still love it now. As an introduction to anyone who really knows nothing but would like to, this set of 4 (will there be any more?) is no better place to start.



Have to Have This!!, 30 Nov 2006
I've wanted this CD just off the strength of The Dells' "It's All Up to You", which is the most gorgeous song I've ever heard. Typically, this compilation is unavailable in the States, and I can't buy it off of UK iTunes (where I got to hear a sample of each song), so I'm just going to have to buy it here. As a Yank who loves her Northern Soul, I gotta say that the British are first class when it comes to championing and cherishing good music.

Another Good Compilation, 16 May 2006
A budget priced twenty tracker compiled by Richard Searling as was the first one in the series which had all the classics and was a good place to start for any new northern soul fan.

This time Richard has covered the more soulful modern sounding side of Northern Soul with a mix of old classics and newer tracks up to 1976.

There's lots of quality tracks on show here too many to go through and the sound quality is also good

At the price 5 stars


Some of the Greatest Northern Anthems...........ever!, 08 Mar 2008
I bought this CD the year it came out and sill love it. I have copies in the car, on the pc's at home and at work and on my ipod! If you can, buy a copy of the original offering, its got a massive 60 tracks! Once the postman has been you'll have all you need to stage a great all nighter for all your soul mates......... so turn up the volume, get the talc on the floor and let your feet go free!

and remember, whatever else you might do in life, please.....'Keep the Faith'!!

Instant Bliss, 01 Mar 2008
I am trying to rebuild the soul collection I used to have as a fan and DJ back in the 60's - and this 2-CD set goes a heckuva long way to fulfilling my needs.
From the power-driven opener, Seven Days Too Long,through Just a Little Misunderstanding, Helpless,Homer Banks'magnificent A Lot of Love, to Tainted Love and Shirley Ellis' simple and adorable Soul Time - what a treasure trove of good old soul music.
I'm not a 'Northern Soul' fan, so don't really see any soul in Love on a Mountain Top, but let's not quibble...I'm transported to my Soul Paradise.

Virgin NICKS 14 tracks, 04 Jan 2007
Yep, this is a great re-release in 2006 of a great 2001 double cd, but would have been even better if Virgin would have kept all 30 tracks on each cd not editted to 23 a cd. Hope this helps.
Baldy.

The Best Compilation album I ever bought... Ever, 05 Oct 2006
I got this about 4 years ago, at the time I knew almost nothing about Northern Soul. I am so glad that I chose this album to introduce myself to it.

Every song on here is fantastic (with the possible exception of Dr Love which has lyrics so cheesy, it's embarrasing). Not only that but you get 60 tracks which I think is great value for money.

It's pure Saturday night music, I put this on when I'm getting ready to go out which has the unfortunate effect of making the music I hear later in the evening sub standard (You're not likely to hear many of these tracks unless you're going to a Northern Soul night).

I'm 24 and obviously far too young to have been involved in the Wigan/Torch/TW etc days, whenever I listen to this, it breaks my heart that I wasn't there.



Bad news - for old legs. , 08 Nov 2008
This is a really bad news compilation; I received it 24 hours ago and my legs haven't stopped moving yet. If this is truly what you got at Blackpool Mecca I doubt if I could have survived - even with a sackful of leapers - but I would have died a happy man.
25 fantastic tracks, unfortunately Van McCoy's stupendous 'Soul Improvisations part 2' seems to be stuck on permanent repeat (don't know how that could have happened) so the others are getting little playing great as they are.

Modern soul at its best., 13 Oct 2008
Blackpool Mecca was at the cutting edge of Northern soul music and with this compilation you will see why.
Instead of filling the gaps with inane, obscure pop music to keep the dance floor filled like other clubs, messrs Levine & Curtis led the way playing fresh modern soul music that others refused to play.
For a taste of the mecca(If you never got to go) This is a good CD and you will get to hear just a fraction what the mecca was playing in its hey day.....Modern soul before the phrase was widely used as it is today, From the No1 club at that time.

It'll Never Be Over for Me: 20 Northern Soul Masterpieces, 11 Jul 2007
This cd took me a while to get into but when I finally did get into it its fantastic! Its that good this is my second copy. A must for any northern soul lover.

Where's my mohair suit and Ben Sherman ?, 13 Jun 2005
Buyer beware, this is a dangerous CD to drive to as your feet never stop tapping! It's over thirty years since I last heard some of these tracks but many of them still sound as fresh as then. OK as a balding 53 year old perhaps I can't dance like I did then but it's tempting to try......

It's worth the price of the CD for Ray Pollard's "The Drifter" and Gene McDaniels "Walk with a Winner" alone. But then throw in "seven days are too long" Chuck Wood and Garnet Mimms "Looking for you", then some Dean Parrish, Irma Thomas and Doris Troy - what's going on. Look don't read any more get the thing bought, turn up the volume and be a danger on the road !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

play it - love it, 01 Jan 2008
The mix of music is perfect.Lulu was great and loved Valantine moon. Gave as christmas presents all round.

Great album - but not much for the long time fan, 11 Nov 2007
I can't argue with the sound of this music. It is all of the highest quality.

Tuxedo Junction always makes me smile, as do most of the other tracks. I would suggest people hunt out the three 'And Friends' albums, as I reckon they could pick those up for not much more than this best of, and have three times as much music, without missing much.

The only issue I have with this album (hence missing the fifth star) is that there is not much incentive to buy this album if you already own the three aforementioned 'And Friends' albums. A better idea would have been to do a retrospective of Jools' solo (or non Squeeze) career, which spans the best part of 25 years, thus giving more 'new' material to more people.

That said, the music is all good, and if you want to smile like a loon, and dance like one too, this album is for you!

Jools Holland Best of Friends CD/DVD, 24 Oct 2007
This is also my first Jools Holland album and I agree with the previous review Wow!! excellent music you'll love it.

what a load of excellent tunes, 18 Oct 2007
This is my first Jools Holland album, i only got it today and so far i have not stopped playing it. Excellent music, tuxedo junction is ace. I'm gonna share this with the neighbourhood so loud, i absolutely love it.
i'm going to buy more when i get paid.

Bargain priced intro to Northern Soul, 08 Oct 2007
As a new convert to NS I was intrigued as to what I would find on here.
I was pleasantly surprised at the content and there are a few tracks that have already become real favourites.

For me the standout track has to be the hair-raising Al Kent:The way you've been acting. Whilst this is a brilliant track unfortunately it does suffer from being a copy from a record and there is some distortion on the left channel and some of the other tracks are similarly from records and not the original master tape. Still I would rather have them that way than not at all.

All in all a bargain at £3.39 at a large supermarket chain at time of writing.

Choice Northern Soul, 06 Jan 2005
Although not strictly a Tamla Motown compilation, as 7 of the 17 tracks come from labels such as Chess, Mercury and other smaller labels, this collection comprises predominantly the Detroit groove that launched a whole new phenomenon in the North of England, a cult that led to the uncovering of many rare or previously unreleased gems that fitted the demanding criteria of the Northern Soul crowd.
Many of these find their way onto this release, via the guiding hand of Richard Searling, including Motown tracks by Jimmy Ruffin, Frank Wilson (the classic Do I Love You), the Originals, and Diana Ross and the Supremes' version of Stormy, originally by the Classics IV. 
Non-Motown artists featured include the undervalued Dee Dee Warwick (sister of Dionne), Terry Callier, Tony Clarke, Bobby Hebb and Jerry Butler, and the album concludes with the highly-infectious Don Covay hit It's Better To Have (And Don't Need)

Thank you Stuart Maconie, 17 Aug 2003
If,like me,your appetite for Northern Soul has been whetted by listening to Stuart Maconie's Radio 2 show then this album is an excellent first purchase.

A bonus was the discovery that the album includes "Do I Love You [Indeed I Do]" by Frank Wilson - a certain chicken bits fast food outlet has been using it on recent adverts and I've been trying to identify it.

I defy you not to shake your bits on listening to this.

Thank you Stuart Maconie, 17 Aug 2003
If,like me,your appetite for Northern Soul has been whetted by listening to Stuart Maconie's Radio 2 show then this album is an excellent first purchase.

A bonus was the discovery that the album includes "Do I Love You [Indeed I Do]" by Frank Wilson - a certain chicken bits fast food outlet has been using it on recent adverts and I've been trying to identify it.

I defy you not to shake your bits on listening to this.

Classy Northern compilation from Richard Searling, 21 Jun 2001
The name Richard Searling is a mark of quality when it comes to Northern Soul and this compilation doesn't disappoint. The Jimmy Ruffin track "He Who Picks A Rose" is worth the asking price alone. The rest is classy mix of rarer tracks alongside established Northern classics such as Tony Clarke's monster "Landslide". Roll on the next Connoisseurs compilation!

Excellent both the idea & tracks - so glad there are 3 more, 07 Sep 2007
What an excellent idea to create a northern soul "mecca" around the clubs which gave it birth!. All of these hallowed names now so familiar to those who loved the music and the scene and which are in no small way totally responsible for its success both then and again now.

Born in 1963 I was not considered old enough to go to the all dayers and all nighters of that time. Therefore back then I loved the music but only heard a tiny portion of it and never had the honour of entering the sacred halls themselves; Blackpool Mecca, The Torch, The Twisted Wheel and Wigan Casino. Thanks to Richard Sterling however I have enjoyed the revival and added extensively to my northern soul knowledge and collection. Now with these 4 CD's, this being the first, a further whole cornocopia of GREAT music history is opened up to everyone together with a very concise written history including photographs of old ticket stubs, the DJ's of the day and even the club goers!. The written background of the clubs and the time are clearly well researched and fascinating and most importantly the track inclusion is first rate with a varied mix of hot tracks of the day floor fillers. None of these tracks themselves are fillers however with 25 tracks of class and melody and not one dross track in sight!.

Inexpensive and well worth the investment, this collection will fill a big gap in the history of what it was all about and who were the names of the day for those who were too young to be a part of it then and those who are new to it but still love it now. As an introduction to anyone who really knows nothing but would like to, this set of 4 (will there be any more?) is no better place to start.



Have to Have This!!, 30 Nov 2006
I've wanted this CD just off the strength of The Dells' "It's All Up to You", which is the most gorgeous song I've ever heard. Typically, this compilation is unavailable in the States, and I can't buy it off of UK iTunes (where I got to hear a sample of each song), so I'm just going to have to buy it here. As a Yank who loves her Northern Soul, I gotta say that the British are first class when it comes to championing and cherishing good music.

Another Good Compilation, 16 May 2006
A budget priced twenty tracker compiled by Richard Searling as was the first one in the series which had all the classics and was a good place to start for any new northern soul fan.

This time Richard has covered the more soulful modern sounding side of Northern Soul with a mix of old classics and newer tracks up to 1976.

There's lots of quality tracks on show here too many to go through and the sound quality is also good

At the price 5 stars


Some of the Greatest Northern Anthems...........ever!, 08 Mar 2008
I bought this CD the year it came out and sill love it. I have copies in the car, on the pc's at home and at work and on my ipod! If you can, buy a copy of the original offering, its got a massive 60 tracks! Once the postman has been you'll have all you need to stage a great all nighter for all your soul mates......... so turn up the volume, get the talc on the floor and let your feet go free!

and remember, whatever else you might do in life, please.....'Keep the Faith'!!

Instant Bliss, 01 Mar 2008
I am trying to rebuild the soul collection I used to have as a fan and DJ back in the 60's - and this 2-CD set goes a heckuva long way to fulfilling my needs.
From the power-driven opener, Seven Days Too Long,through Just a Little Misunderstanding, Helpless,Homer Banks'magnificent A Lot of Love, to Tainted Love and Shirley Ellis' simple and adorable Soul Time - what a treasure trove of good old soul music.
I'm not a 'Northern Soul' fan, so don't really see any soul in Love on a Mountain Top, but let's not quibble...I'm transported to my Soul Paradise.

Virgin NICKS 14 tracks, 04 Jan 2007
Yep, this is a great re-release in 2006 of a great 2001 double cd, but would have been even better if Virgin would have kept all 30 tracks on each cd not editted to 23 a cd. Hope this helps.
Baldy.

The Best Compilation album I ever bought... Ever, 05 Oct 2006
I got this about 4 years ago, at the time I knew almost nothing about Northern Soul. I am so glad that I chose this album to introduce myself to it.

Every song on here is fantastic (with the possible exception of Dr Love which has lyrics so cheesy, it's embarrasing). Not only that but you get 60 tracks which I think is great value for money.

It's pure Saturday night music, I put this on when I'm getting ready to go out which has the unfortunate effect of making the music I hear later in the evening sub standard (You're not likely to hear many of these tracks unless you're going to a Northern Soul night).

I'm 24 and obviously far too young to have been involved in the Wigan/Torch/TW etc days, whenever I listen to this, it breaks my heart that I wasn't there.



Bad news - for old legs. , 08 Nov 2008
This is a really bad news compilation; I received it 24 hours ago and my legs haven't stopped moving yet. If this is truly what you got at Blackpool Mecca I doubt if I could have survived - even with a sackful of leapers - but I would have died a happy man.
25 fantastic tracks, unfortunately Van McCoy's stupendous 'Soul Improvisations part 2' seems to be stuck on permanent repeat (don't know how that could have happened) so the others are getting little playing great as they are.

Modern soul at its best., 13 Oct 2008
Blackpool Mecca was at the cutting edge of Northern soul music and with this compilation you will see why.
Instead of filling the gaps with inane, obscure pop music to keep the dance floor filled like other clubs, messrs Levine & Curtis led the way playing fresh modern soul music that others refused to play.
For a taste of the mecca(If you never got to go) This is a good CD and you will get to hear just a fraction what the mecca was playing in its hey day.....Modern soul before the phrase was widely used as it is today, From the No1 club at that time.

It'll Never Be Over for Me: 20 Northern Soul Masterpieces, 11 Jul 2007
This cd took me a while to get into but when I finally did get into it its fantastic! Its that good this is my second copy. A must for any northern soul lover.

Where's my mohair suit and Ben Sherman ?, 13 Jun 2005
Buyer beware, this is a dangerous CD to drive to as your feet never stop tapping! It's over thirty years since I last heard some of these tracks but many of them still sound as fresh as then. OK as a balding 53 year old perhaps I can't dance like I did then but it's tempting to try......

It's worth the price of the CD for Ray Pollard's "The Drifter" and Gene McDaniels "Walk with a Winner" alone. But then throw in "seven days are too long" Chuck Wood and Garnet Mimms "Looking for you", then some Dean Parrish, Irma Thomas and Doris Troy - what's going on. Look don't read any more get the thing bought, turn up the volume and be a danger on the road !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

brought for dad, 19 Aug 2008
He didnt like it that much it seems hes hardly played it , so the music cant be that great.

However it did the job , and it was what he wanted so meh,

play it - love it, 01 Jan 2008
The mix of music is perfect.Lulu was great and loved Valantine moon. Gave as christmas presents all round.

Great album - but not much for the long time fan, 11 Nov 2007
I can't argue with the sound of this music. It is all of the highest quality.

Tuxedo Junction always makes me smile, as do most of the other tracks. I would suggest people hunt out the three 'And Friends' albums, as I reckon they could pick those up for not much more than this best of, and have three times as much music, without missing much.

The only issue I have with this album (hence missing the fifth star) is that there is not much incentive to buy this album if you already own the three aforementioned 'And Friends' albums. A better idea would have been to do a retrospective of Jools' solo (or non Squeeze) career, which spans the best part of 25 years, thus giving more 'new' material to more people.

That said, the music is all good, and if you want to smile like a loon, and dance like one too, this album is for you!

Jools Holland Best of Friends CD/DVD, 24 Oct 2007
This is also my first Jools Holland album and I agree with the previous review Wow!! excellent music you'll love it.

what a load of excellent tunes, 18 Oct 2007
This is my first Jools Holland album, i only got it today and so far i have not stopped playing it. Excellent music, tuxedo junction is ace. I'm gonna share this with the neighbourhood so loud, i absolutely love it.
i'm going to buy more when i get paid.

Bargain priced intro to Northern Soul, 08 Oct 2007
As a new convert to NS I was intrigued as to what I would find on here.
I was pleasantly surprised at the content and there are a few tracks that have already become real favourites.

For me the standout track has to be the hair-raising Al Kent:The way you've been acting. Whilst this is a brilliant track unfortunately it does suffer from being a copy from a record and there is some distortion on the left channel and some of the other tracks are similarly from records and not the original master tape. Still I would rather have them that way than not at all.

All in all a bargain at £3.39 at a large supermarket chain at time of writing.

Choice Northern Soul, 06 Jan 2005
Although not strictly a Tamla Motown compilation, as 7 of the 17 tracks come from labels such as Chess, Mercury and other smaller labels, this collection comprises predominantly the Detroit groove that launched a whole new phenomenon in the North of England, a cult that led to the uncovering of many rare or previously unreleased gems that fitted the demanding criteria of the Northern Soul crowd.
Many of these find their way onto this release, via the guiding hand of Richard Searling, including Motown tracks by Jimmy Ruffin, Frank Wilson (the classic Do I Love You), the Originals, and Diana Ross and the Supremes' version of Stormy, originally by the Classics IV. 
Non-Motown artists featured include the undervalued Dee Dee Warwick (sister of Dionne), Terry Callier, Tony Clarke, Bobby Hebb and Jerry Butler, and the album concludes with the highly-infectious Don Covay hit It's Better To Have (And Don't Need)

Thank you Stuart Maconie, 17 Aug 2003
If,like me,your appetite for Northern Soul has been whetted by listening to Stuart Maconie's Radio 2 show then this album is an excellent first purchase.

A bonus was the discovery that the album includes "Do I Love You [Indeed I Do]" by Frank Wilson - a certain chicken bits fast food outlet has been using it on recent adverts and I've been trying to identify it.

I defy you not to shake your bits on listening to this.

Thank you Stuart Maconie, 17 Aug 2003
If,like me,your appetite for Northern Soul has been whetted by listening to Stuart Maconie's Radio 2 show then this album is an excellent first purchase.

A bonus was the discovery that the album includes "Do I Love You [Indeed I Do]" by Frank Wilson - a certain chicken bits fast food outlet has been using it on recent adverts and I've been trying to identify it.

I defy you not to shake your bits on listening to this.

Classy Northern compilation from Richard Searling, 21 Jun 2001
The name Richard Searling is a mark of quality when it comes to Northern Soul and this compilation doesn't disappoint. The Jimmy Ruffin track "He Who Picks A Rose" is worth the asking price alone. The rest is classy mix of rarer tracks alongside established Northern classics such as Tony Clarke's monster "Landslide". Roll on the next Connoisseurs compilation!

Excellent both the idea & tracks - so glad there are 3 more, 07 Sep 2007
What an excellent idea to create a northern soul "mecca" around the clubs which gave it birth!. All of these hallowed names now so familiar to those who loved the music and the scene and which are in no small way totally responsible for its success both then and again now.

Born in 1963 I was not considered old enough to go to the all dayers and all nighters of that time. Therefore back then I loved the music but only heard a tiny portion of it and never had the honour of entering the sacred halls themselves; Blackpool Mecca, The Torch, The Twisted Wheel and Wigan Casino. Thanks to Richard Sterling however I have enjoyed the revival and added extensively to my northern soul knowledge and collection. Now with these 4 CD's, this being the first, a further whole cornocopia of GREAT music history is opened up to everyone together with a very concise written history including photographs of old ticket stubs, the DJ's of the day and even the club goers!. The written background of the clubs and the time are clearly well researched and fascinating and most importantly the track inclusion is first rate with a varied mix of hot tracks of the day floor fillers. None of these tracks themselves are fillers however with 25 tracks of class and melody and not one dross track in sight!.

Inexpensive and well worth the investment, this collection will fill a big gap in the history of what it was all about and who were the names of the day for those who were too young to be a part of it then and those who are new to it but still love it now. As an introduction to anyone who really knows nothing but would like to, this set of 4 (will there be any more?) is no better place to start.



Have to Have This!!, 30 Nov 2006
I've wanted this CD just off the strength of The Dells' "It's All Up to You", which is the most gorgeous song I've ever heard. Typically, this compilation is unavailable in the States, and I can't buy it off of UK iTunes (where I got to hear a sample of each song), so I'm just going to have to buy it here. As a Yank who loves her Northern Soul, I gotta say that the British are first class when it comes to championing and cherishing good music.

Another Good Compilation, 16 May 2006
A budget priced twenty tracker compiled by Richard Searling as was the first one in the series which had all the classics and was a good place to start for any new northern soul fan.

This time Richard has covered the more soulful modern sounding side of Northern Soul with a mix of old classics and newer tracks up to 1976.

There's lots of quality tracks on show here too many to go through and the sound quality is also good

At the price 5 stars


Some of the Greatest Northern Anthems...........ever!, 08 Mar 2008
I bought this CD the year it came out and sill love it. I have copies in the car, on the pc's at home and at work and on my ipod! If you can, buy a copy of the original offering, its got a massive 60 tracks! Once the postman has been you'll have all you need to stage a great all nighter for all your soul mates......... so turn up the volume, get the talc on the floor and let your feet go free!

and remember, whatever else you might do in life, please.....'Keep the Faith'!!

Instant Bliss, 01 Mar 2008
I am trying to rebuild the soul collection I used to have as a fan and DJ back in the 60's - and this 2-CD set goes a heckuva long way to fulfilling my needs.
From the power-driven opener, Seven Days Too Long,through Just a Little Misunderstanding, Helpless,Homer Banks'magnificent A Lot of Love, to Tainted Love and Shirley Ellis' simple and adorable Soul Time - what a treasure trove of good old soul music.
I'm not a 'Northern Soul' fan, so don't really see any soul in Love on a Mountain Top, but let's not quibble...I'm transported to my Soul Paradise.

Virgin NICKS 14 tracks, 04 Jan 2007
Yep, this is a great re-release in 2006 of a great 2001 double cd, but would have been even better if Virgin would have kept all 30 tracks on each cd not editted to 23 a cd. Hope this helps.
Baldy.

The Best Compilation album I ever bought... Ever, 05 Oct 2006
I got this about 4 years ago, at the time I knew almost nothing about Northern Soul. I am so glad that I chose this album to introduce myself to it.

Every song on here is fantastic (with the possible exception of Dr Love which has lyrics so cheesy, it's embarrasing). Not only that but you get 60 tracks which I think is great value for money.

It's pure Saturday night music, I put this on when I'm getting ready to go out which has the unfortunate effect of making the music I hear later in the evening sub standard (You're not likely to hear many of these tracks unless you're going to a Northern Soul night).

I'm 24 and obviously far too young to have been involved in the Wigan/Torch/TW etc days, whenever I listen to this, it breaks my heart that I wasn't there.



Bad news - for old legs. , 08 Nov 2008
This is a really bad news compilation; I received it 24 hours ago and my legs haven't stopped moving yet. If this is truly what you got at Blackpool Mecca I doubt if I could have survived - even with a sackful of leapers - but I would have died a happy man.
25 fantastic tracks, unfortunately Van McCoy's stupendous 'Soul Improvisations part 2' seems to be stuck on permanent repeat (don't know how that could have happened) so the others are getting little playing great as they are.

Modern soul at its best., 13 Oct 2008
Blackpool Mecca was at the cutting edge of Northern soul music and with this compilation you will see why.
Instead of filling the gaps with inane, obscure pop music to keep the dance floor filled like other clubs, messrs Levine & Curtis led the way playing fresh modern soul music that others refused to play.
For a taste of the mecca(If you never got to go) This is a good CD and you will get to hear just a fraction what the mecca was playing in its hey day.....Modern soul before the phrase was widely used as it is today, From the No1 club at that time.

It'll Never Be Over for Me: 20 Northern Soul Masterpieces, 11 Jul 2007
This cd took me a while to get into but when I finally did get into it its fantastic! Its that good this is my second copy. A must for any northern soul lover.

Where's my mohair suit and Ben Sherman ?, 13 Jun 2005
Buyer beware, this is a dangerous CD to drive to as your feet never stop tapping! It's over thirty years since I last heard some of these tracks but many of them still sound as fresh as then. OK as a balding 53 year old perhaps I can't dance like I did then but it's tempting to try......

It's worth the price of the CD for Ray Pollard's "The Drifter" and Gene McDaniels "Walk with a Winner" alone. But then throw in "seven days are too long" Chuck Wood and Garnet Mimms "Looking for you", then some Dean Parrish, Irma Thomas and Doris Troy - what's going on. Look don't read any more get the thing bought, turn up the volume and be a danger on the road !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

brought for dad, 19 Aug 2008
He didnt like it that much it seems hes hardly played it , so the music cant be that great.

However it did the job , and it was what he wanted so meh,

This IS the Northern Soul Story, 03 Apr 2008
This CD accompanies Mike Ritsons book of the same name and is just as good. Containing such such gems as Rose Batistes - Hit & Run, Sandi Sheldons - You're gonna make me love you, plus a whole host more, this CD has it all. If you want to know what all the fuss is about, well this CD will give you all the answers.

Pity Your Feet!, 16 Jan 2004
A near perfect Northern soul CD which is an ideal introduction for the novice, and a delight for the veteran that so many classics are put together on one collection. Standout tracks are too numerous to mention, so from a personal point of view it's a delight to have Doris Troy's "I'll do anything", Dells "Run for cover", Rose Battiste's "Hit & run", Earl Van Dyke's "All for you", Marvin Smith's "Have more time", Betty Everett's "Gettin' mighty crowded" and Patti Austin's version of "You never said a word" (check out the Yvonne Baker original) all together in one box. Warning to the uninitiated! This music is highly addictive and so far I've found no effective cure.

Great Compilation, 08 Aug 2003
Compiled by the authors of the book of the same name consisting of two CD’s, as you would expect excellent liner information, just wish more compilers would do likewise.

The CD’s contain lots of dancers and good audio quality and hi-fi.

This compilation is a good introduction to Northern Soul with plenty of hits and quality songs on it.

A well thought out compilation and worthy of 4.5 Stars, the second CD being marginally better than the first.

Brilliant Book / Brilliant C.D, 18 Nov 2001
I am a 41 year old rare soul fan and found this compilation to be very well put together. My youth was spent at the Wigan Casino and many other places where I could find this great music. Standout tracks for me are The Charades - Key To My Happiness [What an Intro] / Otis Smith - Let Her Go [What A Vocal] / Lenny Curtis - Nothing Can Help You Now [An all time personal favourite & bought on original vinyl last year. A compilation to be enjoyed and if possible listened to whilst reading the excellent book companion.

Deja vu nostalgia, 12 Nov 2001
Growing up a soul fanatic in the sixties I spent my weekly pocket money on soul 45s. I wore those little vinyl wonders out with constant playing and had relegated that episode of my music-listening life to a bottom drawer when lo and behold albums like this are produced and within afew cuts I am transported to those halcyon care free days....just check out the track list of this amazing compilation, it reads like the history of soul music. For me the stand out tracks are Darrell Banks "open the door to your heart", Maxine Brown (probably the most under rated performer in the whole of soul music history) "One in a million" to mention just two. If you still have two legs that will carry you bopping around the ironing board..BUY THIS. you will not be dissapointed

It has taken the intense rivalry between the UK's Northern soul DJ's to introduce Motown's lesser-known tracks and artists to a truly obsessive audience. Now, with Tamla Motown Connoisseurs, esteemed northern jock Richard Searling has compiled a phenomenal collection spotlighting some of these obscure and previously unreleased gems. During the 60s and early-70s, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder et al bequeathed Motown an unparalleled inheritance of timeless classics. These 20 tunes hail from that era, when Motown was at its dazzling peak as the planet's premier record label. It's simply staggering that such a thunderous burst of anguished beseeching as "Here Are the Pieces of My Broken Heart", by Gladys Knight & the Pips, was originally consigned to the Hitsville vaults, likewise, Chris Clark's combustible version of the Frank Wilson anthem "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)" and Tammi Terrell's swashbuckling